Automobile luggage trunk



Aug. 4, 1931. P. F. SPERY AUTOMOBILE LUGGAGE TRUNK Filed Nov. 1, 1928 Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PHILMORE F. SPERY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

KART-KEEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SIOUX CITY, IOWA Application led November 1, 1928.

Serial N0. 316,532.

My invention relates to trunks of the type section of the trunk, and is open at the rear carried at the rear of automobiles and like vehicles, and more particularly to such types of trunks that are extensible to enlarge their capacity at such time as greater contents are to be carried, and my main object is to provide a novel expedient whereby the extension may be well and rigidly supported.

A further object of my invention is to establish a novel relation betwen the sections of the trunk as assembled in telescopic order, so that these sections may cooperate automatically to make a firm and lasting connection at all times.

Another object of the invention is to use a novel folding link expedient to regulate one of the sections of the trunk, so as to best c0- operate with the other sections thereof.

A final, but nevertheless important object Vof the invention is to design the improved connection between the trunk sections on simple lines, so that it may operate with ease and be produced inexpensively.

Vith the above objects in view and any others that may suggest themselves in the specification and claims to follow, a better understanding ofthe invention may be gained by reference to the accompanyingV drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation ofthe trunk in 'closed condition, showing a fragmentary illustration of a tire carried by the back portion of the trunk;

- v Fig. 2 is a side view of the trunk as extended, partly broken away;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan section of Figure 2, showing the manner of connection of the trunk sections at one side of the trunk;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a` slide involved in the folding-link mechanism; and

Fig. 5 is a. fragmentary vertical sectionof one side and lower corner of the trunk, illustrating alining means for the sections thereof.

Referring specifically to the drawings, 5

. denotes the side wall, 6 the bottom, 7 the front wall, and 8 the Vcover of a typical automobile trunk, the cover being hinged to the front to receive a closing plate or back wall 10.

The closing plate 10 forms the rear wall and reinforcer for a U-shaped section 11, having a bottom 12. About this section is dist5 posed a similar section 13 having a bottom 14, and when the rear plate 10 is moved forwardly, it is intended that the sections 11 and 13 telescope into the section 5, the plate 10 then forming a closure for the collapsed trunk, as indicated in Figure 1.

In order to extend the trunk, the section 11 is first drawn out. However, the section 13 is intended to form a support for the section 11, so that the latter may occupy a fully extended position without becoming disengaged from the trunk. It is therefore desirable that the section 13 be extended but lpartially, as indicated in Figure 2, so that it may itself receive support in the main section 5. I have found it difcult to deal with the intermediate section 13 as quickly as with the section 11. In other words, should the section 13 be made to travel pursuant to the direct pull of the section 11 when the latter is .75 extended, it will be found that friction seriously interferes with the motion of the sections. It must be realized that in order to keep the trunk from rattling or sagging, the sections are fitted fairly close, although the drawing shows them loosely spaced for the sake of clearness. Therefore it will be realized, that friction is first encountered in withdrawing the section 11, and further in the withdrawing of the section 13.

I have provided a novel expedient whereby the section 13 will be caused to travel at a reduced rate. Thus, while the section 11 must be withdrawn fully, and the section 13 but partially or half-way, I engineer the motion of the section 13 at half-rate, whereby the same amount of travel is accomplished but at a slower rate and with consequent less eort.

The sections 5 and 11 are directly joined by a pair of folding links 5a and 11a, these linksv being secured to lateral elements 5b and 117) of the sections, and being foldable on a medial pivot pin 15. The latter has an external enlargement in the form of a vertical m sleeve 16, and this sleeve is open at one side as indicated at 17 to be mounted slidably on a curl i8 formed on the frontal edge of each side Wall of themedial trunk section 13. When the trunk is closed, and the links 5a andlla are foldedas indicated in lFigure l, the sleeve ltiisfin a lovv' position along the curl I8. Howeveig When the section llas drawn out to extend the trunk, openingthe links byline action, the sleeve will be raisedby the riser of the medial pivot of the links to the position indicated in FigurelQ. the same time, the arc described the linken will have carried the medialfsection 13 a corresponding distance, that is, hal'fvvay out. It'sfthus seen` that I employ the connecting expedient. of the links 50: and 11a for the ad.

' ditional fiinction of a lever. Withan advanta- TIT-lie' folding.' links are madeA with a backgeous ratio; whereby less effort is required to extendf'theouter sections of tne trunk.

inggstopflgto prevent their unfolding beyond I. the: extended position. In actual practice I vvvill designtli'e assembly With the center pivot of'tlielinks 1,9 lower than the 'end piv'ots yvhen the trunk isinthe' position shown inY Figure 2; thus avoiding difficulty in refolding,

throng-lr the involvement of a dead center. Also; I choose to lendvthe sleeves land the "c rls 18a square or other angular cross section to'preelutle twisting tendencies between Y the sleevesand the medial sections. Further,

Iqalsothread thepin ll5-,a' s clearly shown, and

l provide the samevv'itlh a thumb nutQO for the i' control of. the link ang-le to any desired. ad-

. `g'ustnient. llhus, tl'ieftrunk'may only be de- ,"sirfed to; extend partially, and 'with thisl movement-determined@ can readily tighten thethumbnuts 2Q .to the adjustment.

When the trunk is ful-ly, extended, it may 'Y be of: advantage to' 'cover thek rear vportion thereof, andi I vhave therefore provided an auxiliary lid 21, hinged at 2-2-.t`o the rear platel. Grdin'arily, this lid is folded inside the rear section 1l, but when the trunk g hasfbeen extended, it may be caught in a latch Q3 carried by the regular lid 8 so'as to .Y remain.- in horizontal positionl andgprotect the 'contents ofthe extended portionVv of the trunk from ready access by unauthorized persons andA from falling objects or rai-n.

Y@consist-ent, with the foregoing mentionv 'l i that theV tru-nk sections are closely assembled name.

forrelative sliding action, I deem itk advis-l able to incorporate in the present structure a guiding.expedientfshown in patent applicationsi4 oniVsimi/lar trunks `now pending in my Thus, Figure A5 shows that I have formed the trunk sections With interlitting moldings 5c, 13o7 andfllc at the top and With pressed interfittingj ridges 5d', 13d, and 11d' at the bottom, 'on each side, to providefself-A y guidingsnpportsof a firm nature but limited area,y so that theslidingsurfaces of the sectiens are not great; and conducive to friction.,

The sliding occasions friction only in the interitting elements, and as stated along a limited or narrow area, and therefore reduces friction considerably. The angular nature of these elements also serves to properly aline the trunk sections against'twistingor sagl tendencies as occasioned by the vibra-V largement on theV medial section with which said sleeve slid'ably engages, whereby said medial section is caused to move With but at a slower rate than the terminal section.

2. A trunk comprising a mainy section', an intermediate section and an end section telescopical-ly arranged, toggle links pivoted at their extreme ends to theinain'and 'end sections, said intermediate section being formed vvith a vertical roll, and asleeve fixed to the centerl pivot of said toggle links, said sleeve slidably embracing said roll',v Whereby'movement of the end section ofthe trunk Will result in a slower movement ofthe intermediate section; 4 ,3;` A trunk comprising a main section,` an intermediate section and an endsection telesfcopically arranged, toggle links pivoted at their extreme enjdsto themain! and end sections, said intermediate@ section being' Vformed with a vertical roll, and a sleeve fixed to the center pivot of saidtoggle links, said sleeve slid'ably embracing. said rovll,yvliereby movement of the end'section ofjthe trunk Will result in a slower movement ofthe intermediate sectiomsaid roll and sleeve being angular in cross section to prevent relative torsional movement thereof. y V y 4;. A trunk 'comprising a main section, an intermediate section and an 'end section telescopically narranged, toggle link s pivoted at their extreme ends tothe main andfend sections, said intermediate section being-formed With a vertical'roll,andV a sleeve fixed to the center pivot of said toggle links, said' sleeve slidably embracing said rollvvhereb`y movement of the end-section of the trunk will'A result in a slower movement of the intermediate section and a locking nut threadedly engage said center pivot for locking thesections inatljusted position.

5. A trunk comprising a main section, an

of the end section of the trunk Will result in a slower movement of the intermediate section, and a stop means for limiting movement of said toggle links to extended position.

6. An extensible auto trunk Comprising a main section with one end open, an extensible sect-ion telescopioally arranged in the main section and having a rear Wall adaptedy to close the open end thereof, a cover for the main section, and a cover member for the extensible section hinged to its rear Wall and foldable Within said section when the trunk is collapsed, and a latch carried by the free margin of the main cover for engaging and supporting the cover member over the extensible section.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature.

PHILMORE F. SPERY. 

